Mangaoang
was a former vice governor of Kalinga and former mayor of Balbalan town in the
province.

This after
the family of the late Maximo B. Dalog requested Alvarez to designate
Mangaoang.

The office
became vacant with the death of Dalog who died June 5 at the age of 70. He was
serving his third and last term.

Lawyer Cyphrine
Maxcel Dalog, chief of staff of Mountain Province’s Congressional Office
affirmed it was the family’s prayer that Mangaoang be designated as caretaker
citing the following reasons:

Dalog and
Mangaoang are both members of the Nacionalista Party and Mangaoang is from
Mountain Province, his mother, being a native of Sagada.

She said Mangaoang
was aware of Dalog's vision for Mountain Province because as a neophyte
representative, the latter had been with him as a mentor and adviser.

“We believe
that Congressman Mangaoang personally feels, understands and knows the plight
and needs of our province in so far as legislation is concerned because of the
aforementioned reasons,” she said.
“This being said and done, we assure that the programs and services as
envisioned by Cong. Dalog will advance in favor of the people of Mountain
Province especially that of our medical assistance, educational assistance,
social services and infrastructure development. In addition, the House measures
filed and co-authored by him will be pursued at the House of Representatives and
the Senate until such bills will reach their approval into law,” Atty. Dalog
added.
With Mangaoang's designation as legislative caretaker, Atty. Dalog urged the people
of Mountain Province to unite by setting aside political and personal
aspirations, and instead prioritize the province's development. “Let us
continue to do what is best for Mountain Province,” she said.

The Speaker
has also extended the services of the current plantilla staff of the late Dalog
until 2019.

Meanwhile,
Rep. Mangaoang has accepted his designation.

In a
statement, the Kalinga solon said he was honored to have been designated by
Speaker Alvarez as caretaker of Mountain Province. “Together with the staff of
the late Congressman Dalog, we will try our best to continue the legislative
agenda, plans, program, projects and advocacy of the late congressman for the
best interest of Mountain Province so that quoting the late Cong. Dalog, “By
the grace of Almighty God, gumawis pay koma nan Mountain Province,” Mangaoang
said.

“With this
designation, I wish as well to convey my heartfelt thanks to the family of the
late Manong Max and the people of Mountain Province for giving me the trust and
confidence to become their caretaker,” he furthered.

Representative
Mangaoang has also written all local chief executives, heads of offices and
line agencies to address all communications, issues and concerns affecting
Mountain Province to the undersigned through Atty. Cyphrine Maxcel Y. Dalog at
the following addresses: North Wing 219, House of Representatives,
Constitutional Hills, Quezon City, 1126
or Congressional District Office 4th Floor, Provincial Capitol Building, Bontoc,
Mountain Province.

With this,
the projected special elections to choose a congressman for Mountain Province
was put in the back burner as the leadership of the House of Representatives
did not declare the post vacant but instead appointed Mangaoang as caretaker
congressman.

The Speaker
can appoint a caretaker if Congress will not declare a vacancy with the death
of its member.

The
Commission on Elections can hold a special election not later than 90 days if
Congress declares a vacancy. The special election can also be held to coincide
with a general election.

It is the
second time that a Kalinga lawmaker became the caretaker congressman of
Mountain Province. In 2008, the House named former Kalinga lawmaker
Manuel Agyao as caretaker representative after congressman Victor Dominguez
died. Agyao served until the elections in May 2010.

The Commission on Elections earlier said it will
need at least P40 million for a special election after Dalog’s death.

Provincial
election supervisor Ricardo Lampac told media the P40 million will cover
allowances of Comelec officials and personnel and members of the Board of
Election Inspectors at the precinct level and Board of Canvassers,
transportation, allowances of the police and military, election supplies and
paraphernalia.

The
House of Representatives needs to certify the vacancy of Dalog's seat before
the Comelec can submit a list of expenses for mandatory special
elections.

The
House will "download" to the poll body the required budget for the
preparations and conduct of the special elections.

Lampac said
the Comelec cannot unilaterally move or act on its own. "Without the
declaration of the position as vacant, we are in a wait-and-see situation at
this time."

Lampac
added the 90-day period from which to conduct the special elections will only
be counted once the House certifies that the province’s congressional seat is
vacant.

Once a
special election is called, the winning candidate will serve the unexpired term
but it will be counted as one full term for the elected official.